Sanctions On North Pass Unanimously

A CLOSER LOOK: NORTH KOREA & NUKES

UNITED NATIONS -- The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously Saturday to impose sanctions on North Korea that are meant to cut off the materials and funding for its nuclear program.

After what Russia's ambassador called "tense negotiations," the resolution was passed.

The North Korean ambassador, Pak Gil Yon, told the council that his country "totally rejects the unjustifiable resolution" and denounced the "gangsterlike" behavior of the Security Council for sanctioning North Korea without addressing the threat it thinks the United States poses to the country.

Pak then walked out of the chamber, leading U.S. Ambassador John Bolton to suggest to the council that North Korea should be expelled from the United Nations.

The resolution does not allow military enforcement of the sanctions and makes clear the restrictions will be lifted once North Korea abandons its nuclear program and returns to talks. It also contains exemptions to minimize the impact on civilians.

The decision by all 15 members to punish North Korea while leaving the diplomatic door open was a hard-fought act of unity in the wake of the reclusive regime's defiant Oct. 9 announcement that it had conducted a nuclear test, days after the Security Council warned of "serious consequences."

To ensure North Korea does not acquire new materials for its weapons programs or send nuclear goods to other countries, the resolution:

Calls for a ban on goods related to North Korea's missile and nuclear programs and a freeze on financial activities that support them.

Calls on all countries to prevent North Korea from importing or exporting any material for weapons of mass destruction or ballistic missiles.

Calls on nations to freeze assets of people or businesses connected to these programs.

Calls on all countries to inspect cargo going into and out of North Korea. But China said Saturday that it would not participate in this key measure.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is heading to Beijing, Seoul and Tokyo this week to talk about how to enforce the resolution.